307744 v.2 Master of Urban and Regional Planning
MURP(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 050344F
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas:
1.5 Years
Course Overview
Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.
This course is designed for people with first degrees other than planning to develop the requisite skills and knowledge to enter the planning profession. It examines the theoretical foundations of planning, its legislative and bureaucratic frameworks and develops practical skills required by planning practitioners in government agencies and the private sector. It also teaches research skills and develops critical analytical capacities through the completion of a major piece of original planning research. Participation in projects that involve real planning issues and engagement with planning professionals prepare graduates for professional life. Planning is essential in a world threatened by the excessive use of natural resources, the indiscriminate generation of waste and a growing gulf between the benefits enjoyed by the wealthy and the poor, between people in metropolitan and rural areas and between regions within and outside Australia. Planning is also crucial to the development of the languishing economies of poorer nations where inadequate infrastructure exacerbates the divide between neighbouring countries. Consequently, demand for well-educated and effective planners surpasses supply providing planning professionals with employment opportunities in Australia and abroad.
Professional Recognition
This course satisfies the academic requirements for corporate membership with the Planning Institute of Australia.
Career Opportunities
Graduates would expect to find employment in a variety of planning and planning related areas such as strategic, statutory and land use planning, transport, resource management, environmental protection, tourism, agriculture and mining.
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
Specifically, applicants require a bachelor degree in any discipline relevant to urban and regional planning.
Credit for Recognised Learning
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Organisation
Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.
This course is underpinned by principles of sustainability and is designed to prepare graduates for planning practice. The first year of the course introduces planning theory and practice and includes the study of law, theory, plan preparation and urban design. It also imparts an understanding of land development, the functions and ethics of practice in the public and private sectors and the development of integrated plans that serve the needs of government agencies and communities. Finally, students acquire critical analytical research skills in preparation for the final semester of the course which involves the preparation and presentation of a piece of original research.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. disseminate and apply the principles, theories and concepts of urban and regional planning and draw upon appropriate knowledge of social, economic and environmental factors within a governance framework to practise planning, particularly in the Western Australian context;
2. think critically at the highest order to analyse and challenge theories and practices of urban and regional planning, and generate creative solutions to planning issues;
3. critically access, evaluate and synthesise information in order to undertake research relevant to urban and regional planning;
4. communicate effectively at a high order which is both innovative and ground-breaking in writing, graphically and orally with various audiences (academic, professional and community);
5. use appropriate technologies to practice urban and regional planning;
6. use learned skills to continue self-development and influence others in continued learning in the profession;
7. have a high level of awareness and skills to understand and respond to cultural diversity and difference in national and international perspectives;
8. work ethically as individuals and in teams demonstrating skills in leadership negotiation and conflict resolution, recognising and valuing the contribution of other disciplines and interests
Duration and Availability
This fee paying course is one and a half years full-time study or equivalent part-time study.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Study Period 2 | Y | ||||
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Semester 2 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| 12625 | v.4 | Regional Planning 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 12623 | v.4 | Local Planning 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311055 | v.1 | Introduction to Planning 501 | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 5308 | v.7 | Planning Theory 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 307755 | v.2 | Integrated Plan Making 512 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 307756 | v.1 | Planning Research Methods 512 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 5158 | v.9 | Planning Law 512 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 307754 | v.1 | Development Processes 512 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 310066 | v.1 | Planning Dissertation 611 | 1.0 | 50.0 | |
| SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 50.0 | ||||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
| 310094 | v.1 | Planning for Economic Development 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310099 | v.1 | Planning for Sustainability 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310095 | v.1 | Landscape Planning and Heritage 712 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310097 | v.1 | Urban Regeneration 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310188 | v.1 | International Perspectives of Planning 511 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 309319 | v.1 | Transport Planning 712 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 309669 | v.1 | Site Planning 512 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310100 | v.1 | Participatory Planning 512 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 308323 | v.1 | Planning for Accessibility 601 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310102 | v.1 | Planning for Housing 711 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311056 | v.1 | Professional Practice 501 | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 10895 | v.3 | Project Management 641 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312786 | v.1 | Special Topics in Urban & Regional Planning 311 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 302482 | v.5 | Sustainable Cities 543 | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 302473 | v.6 | Urban Design for Sustainability 541 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
* Students can select options (up to 50 credits) in any semester. Subject to unit availability.
Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Handbook Disclaimer
The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.
For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.
